True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers show

True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers

Summary: Every week host Dan Zupansky will interview the true crime authors that have written about the most shocking killers of all time.

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 BLOOD STAIN-Peter Lalor | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5399

'There are murders and there are murders. There are bodies and there are bodies, and then there's what lies waiting behind the front door of the little brick house with its blinds drawn and air conditioner droning on, working against the oppressive Hunter Valley heat. A glimpse into the dark, cockroach corners of the soul. A lot of the blokes at the scene that day will never be the same.'On 29 February 2000, Katherine Knight committed an unspeakable act. A mother of four and a grandmother, she seduced and then stabbed John Price 37 times. A former abattoir worker, she skinned him. A loving partner, she cooked him with vegetables, making a soup with his head. Made gravy. Left him on plates for his family. Why? Pricey was her de facto and he wanted out. She didn't like that. People said that most of the time Katherine Knight seemed normal . until she got angry. She was judged to be legally sane when she committed a crime so horrible that the media shied away from the detail.Journalist Peter Lalor covered the trial and wanted to know what made Knight go way over the borderline. In this unflinching account he uncovers the layers of her dysfunction, opening the door of 84 St Andrews Street and taking us into the lives of Knight's ex-partners, her family and the locals of Aberdeen, NSW. Katherine Knight is currently the only woman serving a life sentence in Australia. She is never to be released. BLOOD STAIN-The True Story of Katherine Knight, The Mother and Abattoir Worker Who Became Australia's Worst Female Killer-Peter Lalor

 SMOOTH TALKER-Steve Jackson | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5196

One morning in July 1974, Anita Andrews, the owner and bartender at Fagiani’s Cocktail Lounge in Napa, California was found dead in her bar–raped, beaten, and stabbed to death in a bloody frenzy. She’d last been seen alive the night before talking to a drifter who sat at the end of the bar, playing cards and flirting with her. But the stranger, along with Anita’s Cadillac, had disappeared. Unable to locate  a suspect, police investigators sadly watched the case grow cold over the years.Meanwhile a month after Anita’s murder, young Michele Wallace, was driving down a road in the mountains near Crested Butte, Colorado, when she gave two stranded motorists, Chuck Matthews and a man named Roy, a ride. Dropping Matthews off at a bar, she agreed to take “Roy” to his truck. She was never seen alive again, nor could a massive search of the mountains locate her remains. The trail leading to her killer also ran into deadends. Fourteen years later, Charlotte Sauerwin, engaged to be married, met a smooth-talking man at a Laundromat in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. The next evening, her body was found in the woods; she’d been raped, tortured, and her throat slashed. The police suspected her fiance, Vince LeJeune, though he proclaimed his innocence to anyone who would listen. Meanwhile, the man from the Laundromat couldn’t be located.The three murders would remain unsolved, eating at the hearts, minds and lives of the women’s families, friends and communities. Then in the early 1990s, a rookie Gunnison County sheriff’s investigator named Kathy Young began looking into the Wallace case and identified a suspect named Roy Melanson, a serial rapist from Texas. SMOOTH TALKER is the story of Melanson, his depredations, and the intrepid police work that went into bringing him to justice. SMOOTH TALKER-Steve Jackson 

 ICE AND BONE-Monte Francis | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 3909

On a clear, brisk night in September of 2000, 33-year-old Della Brown was found sexually assaulted and beaten to death inside a filthy, abandoned shed in seedy part of Anchorage, Alaska. She was one of six women, mostly Native Alaskan, slain that year, stoking fears a serial killer was on the loose. A tanned and thuggish 20-year-old would eventually implicate himself in three of the women’s deaths and confess, in detail, to Della’s murder. Yet, after a three-month trial, Joshua Wade would walk free. In 2007, when Wade kidnapped a well-loved nurse psychologist from her home and then executed her in the remote wilderness of Wasilla, two astute female detectives joined forces to finally bring him to justice. ICE AND BONE is the chilling true account of how a demented murderer initially evaded police and avoided conviction only to slip back into the shadows and kill again. Journalist and writer Monte Francis tells the harrowing story of what eventually led to Wade’s capture, and reveals why the true scope of his murderous rampage is only now, more than a decade later, coming into view. ICE AND BONE-Tracking An Alaskan Serial Killer-Monte Francis

 CONVICTION-Juan Martinez | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4812

Through two trials, America watched as Juan Martinez fought relentlessly to convict Jodi Arias of Murder One for viciously stabbing her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander to death. What emerged was a story wrought with sex, manipulation, and deceit that stunned the public at every turn. Arias, always playing the wronged and innocent woman, changed her story continually as her bizarre behavior surrounding the crime and its aftermath came to light. Unwavering, Arias and her defense team continued to play off the salacious details of the case, until she was finally found guilty and—controversially—sentenced to life behind bars.Now, speaking openly for the first time, prosecutor Juan Martinez will unearth new details from the investigation that were never revealed at trial, exploring key facts from the case and the pieces of evidence he chose to keep close to the vest. Throughout the trials, his bullish and unfaltering prosecution strategy was both commended and criticized, and in his book, Martinez will illuminate the unique tactics he utilized in this case and how they lead to a successful conviction, and-for the first time-discuss how he felt losing the death penalty sentence he’d pursued for years.Going beyond the news reports, Martinez will explore the truth behind the multiple facades of Jodi Arias. Sparring with her from across the stand, Martinez came to know Arias like no one else could, dissecting what it took for a seemingly normal girl to become a deluded, cunning, and unrepentant murderer. This book is the definitive account of the case that shocked America. CONVICTION-The Untold Story of Putting Jodi Arias Behind Bars-Juan Martinez

 GITCHIE GIRL-Phil Hamman | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4825

A terrified voice cried out in the night."Who are you? What do you want?The sound of snapping twigs closed in on the five teenagers enjoying an evening around a glowing campfire at Gitchie Manitou State Park. The night of music and laughter had taken a dark turn. Evil loomed just beyond the tree line, and before the night was over, one of the Midwest’s most horrific mass murders had left its bloodstains spewed across the campsite. One managed to survive and would come to be known as the “Gitchie Girl.” Harrowing memories of the terrifying crime sent her spiraling out of control, and she grasped at every avenue to rebuild her life. Can one man, a rescue dog, and a glimmer of faith salvage a broken soul? This true story will touch your heart and leave you cheering that good can prevail over the depravity of mankind.Through extensive research, interviews, and personal insight, the authors bring a riveting look at the heinous crime that shook the Midwest in the early 1970s. Written from rare, inside interviews with the lone survivor, who broke nearly four decades of silence, this shocking yet moving story will not soon be forgotten. THE GITCHIE GIRL-The Survivor's Inside Story of the Mass Murders That Shocked the Heartland-Phil Hamman

 THE TRAIL OF TED BUNDY-Kevin Sullivan | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5220

Within the pages of THE TRAIL OF TED BUNDY:Digging Up the Untold Stories, you’ll hear the voices - many for the first time - of some of Ted Bundy’s friends, as they bring to light the secrets of what is was like to know him while he was actively involved in murder. The stories of his victims are here as well, as told by their friends, including the information and anecdotes that didn’t make it into the investigative files and are being published here for the first time. Two of the former detectives who worked with author Kevin Sullivan during the writing of his widely-acclaimed book, THE BUNDY MURDERS, return to aid readers in fully understanding Bundy’s murderous career; it’s ripple-effect impact on those who came into contact with him in one way or another, and dispelling commonly held myths. THE TRAIL OF TED BUNDY is a journey back in time, to when Ted Bundy was killing young woman and girls in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. It’s told by those who knew him, and you’ll hear their revealing stories, many being voiced and put to print for the very first time. The friends of the victims are here as well, and they too share their insights about the victims, and some of what they tell here had been held back from the investigators, such was their commitment to their deceased friends. It’s also the story of those who hunted Bundy; those who guarded him, and those who otherwise were a part of this strange case one way or another. THE TRAIL OF TED BUNDY-Digging Up The Untold Stories-Kevin Sullivan 

 REAL CRIME-James Hoare | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4024

From the notorious serial killers of the Age of Aquarius to the ruthless mob bosses of the Jazz Age and beyond, Real Crime is the first high quality true crime magazine on the newsstand. Every issue of Real Crime reveals the untold stories behind the world’s most gripping cases, the breathtaking experiences of investigators and survivors, and blow-by-blow accounts of how lawbreakers were finally brought to justice.Delivered with the same icy intensity and forensic detail of popular documentaries and TV shows, Real Crime uncovers blow-by-blow accounts of how notorious criminals have been brought to justice.  Every issue will be packed with ground-breaking interviews, original research and the incriminating pictures behind the world’s most infamous cases. With breath-taking accounts from investigators, survivors and the criminal masterminds themselves, the magazine opens up the world of serial killers; ruthless mob bosses; organised crime; unsolved cases and beyond.James Hoare, editor-in-chief at Real Crime, said, “We are always looking for new ways to meet our readers’ need for intelligent, trusted reporting and opinion. The first edition takes readers on a fascinating journey into the minds of some of the most notorious serial killers, including Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and Fred and Rose West. It also includes a special interview with the woman who shot footage of the O.J. Simpson car chase, on the 20th anniversary of the contentious trial. REAL CRIME-James Hoare

 THE KILLING SEASON-Alex French | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4921

THE KILLING SEASON is a true crime saga, the story of a double murder that went unsolved for more than 35 years, and a chilling portrait of a small town upended by unimaginable violence.In the summer of 1975, the valley town of Grand Junction, Colorado, is stunned by the grisly double murders of 24-year-old Linda Benson and her baby daughter Kelley. For Jim Fromm and Doug Rushing, the two young detectives assigned to the case, the investigation is a chance to earn their stripes and prove their mettle. At first, Fromm and Rushing peg the woman’s mercurial husband, a pipe-fitter who works outside of town, as the primary suspect. But as their case against Steve Benson unravels, the detectives find themselves short on leads—and running out of time. With the city on edge and anxious for answers, a notorious serial killer goes on the lam, and yet another young woman and her children turn up dead.In The Killing Season, acclaimed journalist Alex French traces the story of the Benson murders from the night Linda and Kelley’s bodies are found strewn across their second floor apartment, to an improbable discovery, made more than 30 years later, that enabled a new breed of detectives to crack the case and bring closure to those who'd watched justice slip away. Writing in taut, atmospheric prose, French has crafted a heart-pounding tale of tragedy, resilience, and redemption—set against the burning-red vistas of the American Southwest. THE KILLING SEASON-Alex French 

 A TASTE FOR MURDER-Burl Barer and Frank C. Girardot | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5508

Frank Rodriguez, a much-loved counselor of troubled teens, lies dead on the bedroom floor. His wife and step-daughter are in shock, and so is the medical examiner when he performs the autopsy. Aside from being dead, Frank is in perfect health. Demanding to know the cause of her husband’s death, Angie Rodriguez badgers the police, insisting that Frank was murdered. The cops attribute her assertions to overwhelming grief, but soon they too believe that Frank didn’t die of natural causes. When the police enlist their number one suspect to help in the investigation, things spiral out of control until police are dealing with a daring plot to murder Angie’s best friend, and allegations of another homicide so evil and perverse that even seasoned L.A County Detectives are shocked beyond belief . A TASTE FOR MURDER-Burl Barer and Frank C. Girardot

 THE ROAD OUT OF HELL-Anthony Flacco | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5031

From 1926 to 1928, Gordon Stewart Northcott committed at least 20 murders on a chicken ranch outside of Los Angeles. His thirteen- year-old nephew, Sanford Clark, was the sole surviving victim of the killing spree. Forced to take part in the murders, Sanford carried tremendous guilt all his life. Yet despite his youth and the trauma, he helped gain some justice for the dead and their families by testify- ing at Northcott's trial-which led to his conviction and execution. It was a shocking story, but perhaps the most shocking part of all is the extraordinarily ordinary life Clark went on to live as a decorated WWII vet, a devoted husband of 55 years, a loving father, and a productive citizen.Using never-before-heard information from Sanford's son Jerry Clark-Flacco tells the real story behind the case that captivated the nation. In dramatizing one of the darkest cases in American crime, Flacco constructs a riveting psychological drama about how Sanford was able to detoxify himself from the evil he'd encountered, offering the ultimately redemptive story of one man's remarkable ability to survive a nightmare and emerge intact. THE ROAD OUT OF HELL-Sanford Clark and the True Story of the Wineville Murders-Anthony Flacco

 LETHAL INTENT-Aileen Wournos-60th-Sue Russell | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 3736

Special Rebroadcast of Lethal Intent-Aileen Wournos-60th Birthday-Sue Russell-Audible Audiobook giveaway.On November 30, 1989, in a lonely place off Florida's Interstate 95, 51-year-old Richard Mallory shuddered under the impact of four .22-caliber slugs being pumped into him by a naked, hard-faced blonde hooker. While he suffered a slow, agonizing death, she stripped him of his valuables and drove his Cadillac back to the motel where her lesbian lover was waiting. In 1990, her killing spree kicked into high gear, with three men slain in as many weeks. Of the six of her seven male victims whose bodies were found, some were nude; all had been shot dead and robbed.In January, 1991, pawnshop records led to the arrest of Aileen Carol Wuornos, 34, aka "Lee," an abusive, alcoholic man-hater with a murderous hairtrigger temper. Wuornos began prostituting herself at age 12 for cigarettes and beer. At 15 she bore an illegitimate child, at 16 she took to the highways as a hitchhiking hooker. In 1986, with a lengthy rap sheet and prison term under her belt, she entered into a relationship with Tyria Moore, 24. Tired of turning $20 tricks, Wuornos decided to rob her customers of everything they had—including their lives.Her arrest and trial prompted a worldwide media frenzy. Ultimately Wuornos received six separate death sentences. Here is the definitive account of a killer who confounded the profiling experts, forever changing their concepts of the crimes of which a woman is capable. LETHAL INTENT-Aileen Wournos, America's Deadliest Female Serial Killer-Sue Russell *Special Rebroadcast for Aileen Wournos' 60th Birthday. The first 2 listeners that call in after the episode finishes (347-237-4064) will win an Audible audiobook version of Lethal Intent by Sue Russell.

 SKETCHCOP-Michael W. Streed | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4945

Orange Police Sergeant (Ret.) Michael W. Streed is "The SketchCop." He's a one-of-a-kind crime fighter who's frequently called into action by police departments seeking help solving their most difficult cases.For over three decades, Michael has provided signature images for the country's most notorious murders, rapes, and kidnappings, including the kidnapping and murder of five-year-old Samantha Runnion, as well as the Baton Rouge Serial Killer.The SketchCop has fought crime, coast-to-coast, from Los Angeles to Baltimore, Salt Lake City to Baton Rouge. Along the way, he has papered the walls of police squad rooms with sketches of their city's most dangerous criminals.In this collection of true crime stories, Michael shares cases from his own portfolio. He describes how he connects with, and empowers, courageous victims and eyewitnesses, from all walks of life. Using their descriptions, the author creates life-like sketches of the assailants with an accuracy that has led to quick identifications and captures.SketchCop - Drawing A Line Against Crime provides readers a glimpse at some of Michael W. Streed's career cases and the significant role he plays in the criminal justice system. SKETCHCOP: Drawing a Line Against Crime-Michael W. Streed  

 TOO PRETTY TO LIVE-Dennis Brooks | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4245

In this stunning true crime thriller of Facebook, catfishing, and jealousy, a double-murder begins with the click of a button.When Bill Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth began their romance, they unknowingly set in motion a diabolical plot that would end with them murdered in their own home, Hayworth holding their mercifully unharmed infant.Chris was a CIA agent who was concerned about Jenelle. Seeing the cyberbullying she had endured, and worried for her safety, Chris got in touch with Jenelle's protective parents, and her devoted boyfriend, warning them that Payne and Hayworth were a danger to Jenelle. He got especially close with Jenelle's mother, Barbara, who thought of Chris like a son, though she had never met him. Chris claimed that surveillance of Payne and Hayworth revealed that the two of them were planning on harming Jenelle, that it was imminent, and that something needed to be done immediately. Chris promised that he would have their back if they were to act to protect Jenelle.And so they did. Jenelle's father, Buddy, and her boyfriend, Jamie, broke into the home of Payne and Hayworth and murdered them in their own home.What the police investigation turned up, though, made this crime all the more terrifying. Jenelle had been Chris the entire time, catfishing her family and her boyfriend to act in vengeance on her behalf. Using forensic linguistics and diving through the brambles that Jenelle laid to cover her tracks, police were able to put together a chilling portrait of a sociopath, made all the more ruthless by the anonymity of her online life.Bizarre and unforgettable, Dennis Brooks examines the crime and trial from all angles, bringing his expertise as the lead prosecutor in the strange and disturbing case. TOO PRETTY TO LIVE-The Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee-Dennis Brooks

 MAKING A MURDERER-Michael Griesbach | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 6209

Netflix's documentary series Making a Murderer has captivated audiences everywhere, igniting controversy and fiery debate-especailly among true crime fans.Michael Griesbach, a Wisconsin D.A. helped have Steven Avery exonerated and released from prison after being wrongfully convicted and went on to write the definitive and briliant book about the case, The Innocent Killer. Making a Murderer documentary writers and producers made a  strong case that Avery and co-accused nephew Brendan Dassey, convicted of the murder of Teresa Halbach, deserve another trial. Michael and I will discuss Making a Murderer, the trial of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey and the murder of Teresa Halbach.  MAKING  A MURDERER-The Need For A Re-Trial?-Michael Griesbach 

 BITTER REMAINS-Diane Fanning | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5179

The bestselling author of Under Cover of the Night recounts Laura Ackerson’s disappearance and murder in North Carolina, the discovery of her remains in Texas, and the aftermath… On July 13, 2011, Laura Jean Ackerson of Kinston, North Carolina, went to pick up her two toddler sons. It would be the last time she was seen alive... Two weeks later, detectives searching for the missing mother made a gruesome discovery on the shores of Oyster Creek near Richmond, Texas—the dismembered body parts of a young woman whom they were able to identify as Laura Ackerson. Laura’s ex, Grant Hayes—the  father of her two sons—and his wife, Amanda, the mother of his newborn daughter, both pointed the finger at each other as the one guilty of murdering Laura, cutting up her body, and then transporting and disposing of the remains. This is the hauntingly true story of a devoted mother, a disturbed couple, and how these horrific events came to pass.. BITTER REMAINS-A Custody battle, A Gruesome Crime and the Mother Who Paid the Ultimate Price-Diane Fanning

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